Beanibazar nouka baich to go ahead despite protests by Tawhidi Janata: UNO

The nouka baich (boat race) will be held at the scheduled time in the Sunai River of Beanibazar upazila in Sylhet, said Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Umme Habiba Mazumder. In response to objections and demands for cancellation from a group operating under the banner of 'Tawhidi Janata', she said this rural tradition will not be stopped by anyone's opposition.

UNO Umme Habiba Mazumder said the nouka baich is a traditional rural sport. It will not be stopped due to opposition from 'Tawhidi Janata' or anyone else. If local residents cannot resolve the matter, the administration will step in to settle it.

She said neither the organisers nor the opponents have formally informed the administration about the matter. After learning of the issue, the local union parishad chairman has been asked to take steps to resolve the problem. A meeting with locals is scheduled for Saturday afternoon.

Local sources said the annual nouka baich on the Sunai River has been organised for August 28 by the Louta-Bahadurpur youth group of Louta Union in Beanibazar upazila, as is done every year. Although the competition has been held for a long time, organisers have not faced such opposition in the past.

However, this year a group under the banner of 'Tawhidi Janata' has demanded the cancellation of the nouka baich. Various social media posts are also calling for the event to be stopped. A meeting was held on Thursday at the Barigram Bazar Mosque under the banner of 'Tawhidi Janata Louta Union', where the demand to cancel the nouka baich was also raised.

A resident of Louta Union, speaking on condition of anonymity, said local youths have been organising the nouka baich on the Sunai River for a long time. However, in recent days, some local youths have been writing against the competition on social media, raising concerns that the situation could become tense.

Another resident said hundreds of people gather on the riverbank every year to watch the nouka baich. This long-standing event generates immense interest among local people.

Louta Union Parishad Chairman Delwar Hossain said there is debate on social media both for and against the nouka baich. He has also heard of attempts to obstruct it. However, neither party has formally approached him. The nouka baich is a regular event.

Organising committee General Secretary Aminul Islam said the nouka baich will be held at the scheduled time. He said the committee held a meeting on Friday to discuss preparations, with another meeting scheduled for Saturday evening.

The organising committee stated that preparations for the nouka baich are continuing as usual and the competition will be held on August 28 as scheduled.